NOTE: Thanks klaw and grandimagination! More awesome reviews! You guys are great! Well, I still feel like I have writer's block, but it seems to be clearing gradually. Ideas are following and that's a good sign, I'm just not sure how to get them out into words. But I'm going to try my best, and I hope you guys like this one!

HOPING FOR THE BEST: 23

Some miles ahead of the forest Eryn Lasgalen, a rider was kicking his heels, in hopes his mare would quicken her pace. In his hand was an urgent message for the King Elessar, from his twin brothers- in- law. Only an hour or so before he had reached Mirkwood and spoke with the King Thranduil, who regretted to inform him that Elessar and his company had left the forest in the morning. The messenger knew he was on only a small time frame, and rode as fast as his horse could take him, though he felt it still not to be fast enough. The sooner Aragorn knew of the threat upon his city, the better. Suddenly the courier was forcefully thrown from his horse. It was a miracle the man got up from his fall, and turned to see what had happened. As quick as he could, he got up and went to his horse, the animal crying out in pain as it lay on the ground. He rubbed the steed's neck, carrying his hand to reach the horse's stomach, where an arrow was planted. He eyed the murder weapon, and knew someone was out to have him killed. He hastily stood and said a small prayer and apology to his horse, then ran off as fast as he could. As his feet carried him throughout the mazelike lanes of trees of the Rhovanion, he looked back hoping to see if anyone had been chasing him. He was close to reaching the end of the Wood, seeing the clear fields that lay ahead. Before he reached the outside however, he fell forward into the ground, a grouping of arrows protruding from his back. He was dead, and the message that so desperately needed to reach Aragorn, was ripped from the messenger's lifeless fingers, and torn into pieces by a satisfied Ainik.

GONDOR

"My Queen, the sun is beginning to descend." Arwen turned to a councilman who humbly spoke to her as she faced the window outside looking over the city.

"I know. But I have a few more moments. Leave me in peace, please." The man bowed, though she did not notice, and left her to her thoughts. Arwen felt like her mind was literally being split into two. She thought about how the city really wasn't hers to gamble, and how guilty she felt for wanting to give the city anyway if it meant the reunion of her and her child, whichever child it was. She slowly stood and turned to make her way to the main hall, still unsure of what decision she would make, but she knew she had to make one. As she gracefully strode down the hall, she heard a voice call to her from behind. In her mind the voice seemed faint, distant, for she recognized the tone, but thought it to be a hallucination. Turning, she realized her mind was not playing tricks on her, and saw her twin brothers approaching; her son paces in front of the two. She opened her arms to embrace Eldarion, her face loosening from the tension that had been apparent for so many days. Tears began to stream down her cheek, and she softly thanked the Valar for returning her son safely to her. Eldarion parted from his mother, as gently as he could, and held her arms as he looked into her relieved eyes.

"Muinthel, you needn't worry about the city now," Elrohir spoke to his sister. Arwen looked up to him skeptical of his claim.

"Why? I must go out there and tell that Dunleding my decision. He says he will return to me my child, and now that I see my son before me I can only wait to see which daughter he speaks of."

"No, it is a trick. He has no niece of mine, he never did," Elladan informed her.

"How do you know brother? You cannot deny me my chance to reunite with another one of my children," Arwen pleaded with him. The twins could see the strain on her face, the stress upon her brow. She was desperate, and she would grab onto any hope of finding her daughters.

"We know because we are certain of the whereabouts of all of our nieces, and even Laurelas. The Lady Éowyn would also be pleased to know that her children are safe, as far as we know. Do not worry Arwen they are safe. Now, ignore whatever lies come from the Dunleding's mouth about your daughters, and tell him that you would not give the city, EVER. Declare war, for we shall fight."

"I will say nothing until you tell me where are my children are, including Laurelas!" Arwen said firmly, both her brothers only sighing at her stubbornness.

"Nestor and Laurelas are with Aragorn. We found out he was in Eryn Lasgalen, so we sent a messenger to direct him here, immediately. He should arrive by sunset tomorrow, if the messenger reaches him as quickly as possible. Maethoriel is in the Shire, Hobbiton if you'd like me to be more specific. She is with Anárion and Aeronel, Amrothos' daughter. We have recently sent word to the mayor of what is going on, and have asked him to keep the three there until further notice, so you can be sure they are safe. And Amdiriel is in Rohan. She is in the care of Elfwine..." Elladan was halted by Eldarion's gasp.

"Elfwine? Son of Éomer? Surely it is not Ewan you speak of?" Eldarion asked his uncle, completely surprised.

"Yes, it is Ewan. He is the lost son of Rohan. There is much the boy has not told you."

"But uncle, how did you know? How do you both know so mu..." but Eldarion was interrupted mid-sentence.

"There isn't time! The sun is only moments away from setting. Arwen, you know the whereabouts of your daughters, AND Laurelas now. Announce to the Dunleding that the City will fight their intrusion," Elrohir commanded. Arwen nodded and called for a guard to relay the message that Minas Tirith will hold, and war is to be declared if the invaders do not retreat. The guard bowed, proud of the decision the Queen had made and quickly exited and ran to the gates of the city. Arwen turned to her brother.

"I trust you know what you're doing. We declare war though our army is small in number, and we have no way of sending for help for we cannot get out of the city gates. What then brother, are we to do?"

"Do not fret. Help is on the way. Aragorn should be here by tomorrow, as should Elfwine and the Rohirrim, as should Erchirion and the rest of the Gondorian army. We will wage war, and we will win," Elrohir replied.

ROHAN

Nervously, Elfwine made his way up the steps to the doors that would lead him to the world he had left behind so many years ago. He felt his palms begin to shake nervously, and his breath was becoming short. Unexpectedly he felt the warmth of another's palm in his, and looked to his side to find Amdiriel smiling warmly to him, as the two ascended the steps side by side. Finally they stood at the top of the stairs, the brown door staring Ewan in the face. Two guards immediately halted his attempt to proceed, and stared at him coldly.

"What business do you have with the king boy?" A guard asked.

"I wish to speak with him. I have an urgent message from Gondor."

"You do not look Gondorian. You are not even dressed in such attire that a messenger from Gondor would wear. You think we will let you in with no proof?"

"Step aside, I need to speak with Éomer!" Ewan tried to push the guards aside, but they used their weapons to hold him off, pushing him back.

"That is KING Éomer to you, and you will do no such thing. Get out of here, or we will forcefully remove you ourselves." The guards slowly began to point their weapons to him, making him slowly back away, but Amdiriel intervened.

"Wait! I am Amdiriel, daughter of Elessar, and MY FRIEND and I wish to speak with the King," Amdiriel said nobly. The guards only looked to each other, then to Amdiriel, and began to laugh.

"You expect us to believe you are the daughter of Elessar? Look at you! You're soiled and dressed well enough to be the servant of a stable! Besides, what would Elessar's daughter be doing with wandering vagabond like this here boy?" Amdiriel's eyes narrowed, but she only grumbled with anger, for she had no proof to show them. Ewan gently put Amdiriel aside, and attempted to speak with the guards once more.

"Listen, open that door, or I will open it myself." The guards only stomped their feet in protest, ready to fight if they needed to, and Ewan was forced with no other choice but to push them out of the way. After forcefully pushing one into the wall, knocking him out, the other thrust his sword at Ewan who dodged the strike, grabbing the sword as the man's hand came to him, and knocking him out with it. Ewan motioned for Amdiriel to follow him, as he shoved the doors open revealing the King sitting upon his grand chair, looking up at the guest, question in his eyes. Immediately guards approached and restrained Ewan from walking any farther, and attempted to hold onto Amdiriel, but she pushed away their hands and tried to run to Éomer. The guards caught up with her however and held her back before she reached a ten-foot distance of the King. Éomer called to the guards to release her, for he recognized her to be Elessar's daughter. Ewan however was not released, and kept restrained to only watch the conversation between Amdiriel and Éomer.

"My Lord," Amdiriel bowed respectfully. Éomer approached and addressed the girl.

"Amdiriel, I cannot deny that this is a shock. Your father has been on a frantic search for you, and your siblings. Only a week or so before your brother was here. It seems I've had more luck in finding Elessar's children than Elessar himself has had."

"I know, my Lord. But right now that is not of importance. My city is in dire need of Rohan's aid. Minas Tirith is being invaded, and they declare war upon my home, but we've no army to fight with..." Éomer halted the girl from uttering another word.

"Say no more, Amdiriel. Guard! Call to Caranthir, tell him to gather the ENTIRE army, and head for Gondor, to Minas Tirith. If we travel quickly we may get there by tomorrow before the sun is high." The guard nodded, and headed off to inform the captain of Éomer's army.

"Thank you, my Lord."

"There is no thanks needed, Amdiriel. If Gondor is threatened, then Rohan will be there to fight alongside the White City." Amdiriel nodded, then turned to Ewan, who was still held in place by the guards.

"Oh! My Lord, my companion," Amdiriel said to Éomer, motioning to Ewan. Éomer gave a nod and the guards released the boy, Ewan approaching to stand alongside Amdiriel.

"Your escorting of the princess deserves merit, lad. Tell me what is your name?" Éomer asked, as Ewan was nervous to reply. He wouldn't look at Éomer directly, and the King could tell the boy was avoiding his eyes. Amdiriel looked at Ewan, her eyes piercing, almost forcing him to speak the truth. "Well?"

"Elfwine.." a voice breathed from the side. The three in conversation looked to where the voice had come from to see Lothíriel standing motionless before them, her eyes fixed on Ewan. Éomer looked to his wife, then to Ewan, and stumbled with his words.

"Y-you, you must excuse my Queen. I'm afraid she misses our son terribly and wishes tha.." but Lothíriel interrupted her husband, as she slowly approached to Ewan.

"No, this is my son. I see it in his eyes, those beautiful blue eyes, the same eyes that looked to me when I held him in my arms the day he was born." Lothíriel brushed Ewan's golden hair from his forehead, and lightly traced over a scar that was above his left temple. "This was from Olwen, when she was but a small child and hit you with her wooden sword, in only wanting to play with her older brother." Éomer's eyes widened, and Lothíriel's face shined, as she began to cry. "My son has returned home. He is home Éomer," she whimpered to her husband, quickly embracing her boy, years of worry and heartache overcoming her emotion. She was overjoyed, and sobbed as she held on tightly to Ewan. Ewan embraced her return, but was adamant to do so, knowing his father was staring at him, wide- eyed.

"Tell me that you are my son, and I will embrace you with open arms. I want to hear the words come from your lips, for it has been years and my mind is slow to accept what my heart has been hoping for all these years. Are you Elfwine?" Éomer asked, hope clear in his tone. Ewan was silent, wanting to lie to his father, but knowing he couldn't. Ewan only stood soundlessly, as his father and mother waited for the words they so longed to hear.

TBC.. hope you enjoyed! Please review!